In Zambia and Malawi, many women face the double burden of financial instability and limited access to healthcare.
Most rely on out-of-pocket payments, which often results in delayed or skipped medical treatment. This creates a cycle of poor health and poverty, particularly among women in underserved communities.
Enter MediPay a cross-border InsurTech solution born out of the 2025 COMESA Women in FinTech Hackathon, hosted by HiPipo and the COMESA Business Council. With a focus on inclusivity, MediPay is on a mission to bridge the healthcare access gap for rural women through digital financial tools.
“There are over 21 million women across Zambia and Malawi, and more than half lack health insurance. We want to change that,” said Foster Mulenga, MediPay co-founder.
The MediPay platform allows users to save for healthcare, access health loans, and get insurance all from a mobile device. Built with Mojaloop, an open-source software for real-time payments, MediPay ensures instant transactions across borders.
The team, made up of tech-savvy young innovators, used the Hackathon to refine their idea and gain business training. “As developers, we learned a lot about business models and partnerships. It was a rewarding experience,” said Chansa Kashell Mwenya.
By partnering with insurers and lenders, MediPay hopes to expand affordable health coverage while helping providers reach more clients.
Featured on Day 38 of the #40Days40FinTechs Zambia and Malawi edition, MediPay represents a powerful example of how FinTech can promote health equity and economic empowerment for women.
